Northern Vietnam Discovery: Cycling Through Inland Villages and Valleys

Explore Northern Vietnam’s inland villages and valleys on an eight-day privately guided cycling tour that starts and ends in Hanoi. Cycle between 20-54km each day on moderate trails and unwind in local guesthouses and homestays. Highlights include the Mộc Châu plateau, Song Da Lake, Pù Luông Nature Reserve, and the picturesque rice paddies of Mai Hịch Valley. This exceptional cycling adventure in inland Vietnam, away from the usual tourist spots, culminates with a waterfall visit and a lunch stop on the Hồ Chí Minh Road.

To enhance your Vietnam journey, we offer fantastic optional excursions at the end of the trip.

Pick another destination

Click to view suggestion list

Highlights

  • Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, stay in a lively area just outside the old quarter. Introduction to Vietnam and potential sightseeing.
  • Day 2: Explore Hanoi at your own pace, or opt for a guided walking tour.
  • Day 3: Head to Sơn La mountain range, experience Hmong culture, and stay in a Hmong homestay.
  • Day 4: Cycle downhill to Song Da Lake, passing a hidden waterfall, and stay at a lakeside resort.
  • Day 5: Morning relax by the lake, short bike ride to Mai Châu Valley to visit White Thai villages.
  • Day 6: Cycle to Pù Luông Nature Reserve, where landscapes turn mountainous.
  • Day 7: Leisurely ride to a guesthouse surrounded by streams and waterfalls at the reserve.
  • Day 8: Travel to Lương Nội, return to Hanoi by bus, stop for lunch along Hồ Chí Minh Road.
  • Day 9: Free day before heading to the airport for your flight home or onward journey.

Whats Included:

  • All accommodation
  • Support provided by an air-conditioned van.
  • Experienced cycling guide included.
  • Mountain bikes (Cannondale, Trek) with water cage and helmet.
  • Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant during the tour.
  • Water, fruit and snacks provided.
  • Private boat trips and ferry rides included.

Itinerary idea in detail

If you don't like cycling tours, you can opt to travel by car.

  • 1

    Upon your arrival at Hanoi airport, your driver and guide will meet you and take you to your hotel in the lively capital. The hotel, situated just outside the old quarter, is in a bustling area with many local food options and charming coffee shops. Trúc Bạch Lake, famous for its stunning sunsets, is nearby.

    Check-in time is usually at 14:00, but you can arrange for an early check-in with an extra charge. Depending on your arrival time, your cycling guide can take you for a short walk to the lake in the morning or afternoon for a coffee or beer. They will also introduce you to Vietnam and discuss the upcoming plans.

  • 2

    You have a full day at your leisure to explore the city on your own. Discover its diverse districts, unique architecture, parks, lakes, and bustling street life. If you prefer a guided experience for your initial exploration in the capital, a tour guide is available as an optional walking tour.

  • 3

    Meet your guide at 8:00 AM in the hotel lobby. You’ll leave Hanoi by bus and head to the Sơn La mountain range in the west. The journey lasts about four hours, taking you from Hanoi to the heights of Hòa Bình Province and the small village of Hang Kia, situated at 1,300 meters above sea level.

    Enjoy lunch at a local homestay and experience Hmong hospitality firsthand while the crew prepares the bikes. Today’s ride is a short one to the slopes of Mộc Châu plateau, following small roads and pathways through rocky landscapes in the heart of the Hmong communities. You’ll spend the night at a Hmong homestay.

  • 4

    Today’s ride goes downhill from Mộc Châu plateau to Song Da Lake. You’ll cover about 54km, starting on a main road before switching to a quieter road built by the French during colonial times. Lunch is at a local homestay, and in the afternoon, the day ends at a resort on Song Da Lake. Just before reaching the resort, there’s a hidden waterfall where you can swim.

  • 5

    Spend a relaxed morning enjoying a swim and breakfast with a view. Today’s bike ride is short, giving you the afternoon to explore at your own pace.

    Start your 30km ride at 10:00 AM, going uphill on the main road and then downhill to Mai Châu Valley. Pass through Mai Châu town and head to a quiet valley where the White Thai people live. They are farmers who grow rice and vegetables, creating a beautiful green landscape from March to October.

    Your accommodation is a traditional wooden guesthouse with a restaurant below and a common area inside the house. You’ll arrive by lunchtime and can choose to bike or hike in the afternoon, exploring villages, rice fields, and gardens along small roads and paths.

     

  • 6

    Start your day with breakfast, then head on a 35km journey to the heart of Pù Luông Nature Reserve. Leave the valley and bike towards the Laos border for about 15km until you reach Pù Luông Nature Reserve. From there, the landscapes become more mountainous. The last few kilometers are downhill to a resort nestled on the reserve’s slopes. In the afternoon, you can relax by taking a swim in the pool or visit a nearby village.

  • 7

    This morning’s ride is short and gentle, taking you to the eastern section of the nature reserve where a guesthouse awaits between two flowing streams, surrounded by waterfalls and natural pools. The accommodation is communal in shared spaces.

  • 8

    Today’s journey takes you to a secluded nature reserve along a lesser-known road. Start early on a 45km ride through countryside nestled between the Nam Ma River and the Tam Điệp mountain range. Upon reaching Lương Nội, a quaint hamlet, return to Hanoi by bus. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant along the historic Hồ Chí Minh Road before heading back to Hanoi by bus. Anticipate arriving in the late afternoon.

  • 9

    You have a free day until a driver will pick you up to go to the airport for your flight home or any optional extension you have planned.

What to expect

You will stay in a mix of small, locally-owned hotels and traditional homestays on this tour. These places were chosen carefully for their great location, friendly staff, tasty local food, and commitment to responsible tourism. At the homestays, you'll have dormitory-style rooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Having a road and an exciting journey ahead calls for a reliable bike to truly enjoy the experience. While our fleet predominantly includes the bikes listed below for this tour, there are instances where we may offer a different yet similar quality bike due to height or availability restrictions.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry visas
International airport departure taxes
Any meals not listed in the itinerary
Drinks, other than water on activity days
Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip…)
Travel insurance
All other services not listed in ‘inclusive’

Other Tours you may be interested in

What our clients say about us

avatar

Alice B

22 March 2024 ★★★★★

Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!

avatar

Kyle M

17 January 2024 ★★★★★

Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.

avatar

Garethbradburn

12 April 2024 ★★★★★

This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.

avatar

Leslie

16 May 2024 ★★★★★

An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

avatar

Dzintars Naglis

24 April 2024 ★★★★★

Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.

avatar

Stuart S

18 December 2024 ★★★★★

We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.

avatar

Scott

5 May 2024 ★★★★★

An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!

avatar

Kyle

18 January 2024 ★★★★★

Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!


Our team of travel experts is ready to help you plan your custom trip. Contact us today!

Tailor-made design

Create cherished memories that will last a lifetime through our exceptional and inspiring travel experiences.

True experiences

Embark on an enriching journey to explore the world, where every sight, sound, and encounter offers valuable insights and learning opportunities.

Connect people

Reconnect with nature, engage with diverse cultures, and rejuvenate your senses through immersive travel experiences.

Connect with a certified specialist to begin planning your trip.

Feel free to call one of our experts or schedule a video appointment for personalized ideas and advice.

Make an Inquiry

    • Emily
    • Asia Specialist
    • John
    • Thailand and Asia Specialist
    • Hoang
    • Vietnam Specialist

Get the latest from My Way Travel: Sign up to our newsletter

CHAT WITH US